Harita Group, an Indonesian business group, plans to spend $320 million to build a nickel smelter in South Halmahera’s Obi island, in North Maluku province. The group, through its unit Megah Surya Pertiwi, will do the job.

“The new smelter will have the capacity to produce 100,000 tons of ferro-nickel per year. It will be using electric furnace technology. Harita will also build a steam-powered power plant," said An Sudarno, general manager of the nickel smelter project. "The construction of the smelter will commence next month", An said.